Winnfield senior Eli Little continues to make big impact for Tigers despite injury

Offensive lineman, Louisiana-Monroe preferred walk-on commit still providing inspiration for his teammates

PINEVILLE, Louisiana – Winnfield senior offensive lineman Eli Little continues to serve as an inspiration to his teammates, despite being out for the season with a dislocated ankle and fractured fibula. 

The 6-foot-4, 260-pound Louisiana-Monroe preferred walk-on commit was named team captain because of his positivity and encouragement towards his teammates.

“He’s a wonderful football player, but a better person,” Tigers coach Jay Watson said. “Even though he hadn’t been at practice in three weeks, he hasn’t forgotten his teammates. They voted him permanent team captain, and that speaks volumes.”

Last season, Little helped put the Winnfield program back on the map with a 9-3 season – its best record since an 11-3 campaign and Class 2A semifinal appearance in 2013. In four seasons from 2017-2020, the Tigers won just eight games.

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“It was special (last year), but it was the year before when it actually started,” Little said. “That senior class put the fire back into us to want to win and be competitive.

"We had a big senior class last year that led us and made us want to play hard every game.”

His strong junior season earned him interest from schools such as Louisiana Christian and Division II Harding University.

ULM’s culture left the best impression on Little after its junior day in March. That also opened the line of communication between him and Warhawks' offensive coordinator Matt Kubik and offensive line coach Kyle Segler.

“After I went to a camp up there, what (ULM head coach Terry Bowden) said afterwards just sold me,” Little said. “He said, ‘We want good men and we want to make something out of this program to get ULM back on the map,’ and I was sold from there.”

Winnfield senior offensive lineman Eli Little, left, poses with Louisiana-Monroe coach Terry Bowden during the Warhawks' junior day in March

While he was preparing to have a big senior year, Little was injured during fall training camp. However, there was a silver lining.

A day after having surgery which required a plate, 13 screws and two tight ropes, ULM showed its confidence in him making a full recovery and offered him a spot as a preferred walk-on — leading to him instantly accepting.

“Coach Kubik and Coach Segler have talked to me since March and they stuck with me through everything,” Little said. “It was unbelievable. You see all these stories about people getting their scholarships taken after injuries.

"They knew I had one and stuck with me. That’s something that I’ll be forever grateful for.”

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Although Little’s out for the season, he is still encouraging his Winnfield teammates to play their best.

The Tigers are breaking in 20 new starters, including a new offensive line, and managed to take Class 5A opponent Pineville to the final play in Week 1 before losing, 20-14.

Winnfield looks to bounce back with a Week 2 win at Caldwell Parish.

“I always thought that as long as you keep pumping positive thoughts into people’s minds, it’s going to be good,” Little said. “I just stay positive even if I’m hurt.

"If you make a bad play, don’t worry about that play, worry about the next one. Don’t worry about getting hurt, worry about recovering.”

Photo of Winnfield's Eli Little by Justin Coody for Louisiana Football Magazine